Method of preparing n-oxo-tetrahydro-beta-carbolines

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method of preparing N-oxo-tetrahydro-β-carbolines having formula 1. ##STR1## wherein R 1  is lower alkyl or alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkylthio, hydroxy, amino, lower mono- or dialkyl- or acylamino. 
     n has the value 0, 1 or 2, 
     R 2  is hydrogen, lower alkyl or acyl, 
     R 3  is hydrogen, lower alkyl or alkoxycarbonyl, or a phenyl group optionally substituted with a group R 1 , and 
     A together with the group --C--N--O--, forms a saturated heterocyclic ring systems consisting of 6-8 ring atoms, wherein, in addition to the already present oxygen atom and nitrogen atom, an extra hetero atom from the group, O, S and N may be present, which ring system may be substituted with one or more of the substituents alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkanoyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, oxo, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, alkanoyl-or alkoxycarbonylamino, which ring system may be annelated with a saturated carbocyclic group of 5 or 6 ring atoms, by an intramolecular ring closure reaction of compounds of formula 2 ##STR2## wherein Z is an aldehyde function or acetal function, or is a functional group which can be converted into such a funciton during the ring closure reaction. 
     The eudistomin derivatives within the group of compounds having formula 1 have strong antiviral and antitumor activity.

The invention relates to a new method of preparing known and newN-oxo-tetrahydro-β-carbolines.

It is known that some alkaloids of the tetrahydro-β-carboline type, forexample, yohimbine, vincamine and corynantheine, have interestingpharmacological properties (ref. 1).

Furthermore, it was recently described that a fewtetrahydro-N-oxocarboline compounds (the so-called eudistamins) show astrong antiviral activity with respect to Simplex- and polio virus (ref.2); in addition they have an antitumour activity (ref. 3). Theseeudistamins have been isolated in very small quantities from biologicalmaterial (ref. 2) and have been obtained via a total synthesis in a verylow yield (ref. 4).

It has now been found that compounds of formula 1 ##STR3## wherein R₁ islower alkyl or alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkylthio,hydroxy, amino, lower mono- or dialkyl-or acylamino,

n has the value 0, 1 or 2,

R₂ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or acyl,

R₃ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or alkoxycarbonyl, or a phenyl groupoptionally substituted with a group R₁, and

A together with the group --C--N--O--, forms a saturated heterocyclicring system consisting of 6-8 ring atoms, wherein, in addition to thealready present oxygen atom and nitrogen atom, an extra hetero atom fromthe group O, S and N may be present, which ring system may besubstituted with one or more of the substituents alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl,alkanoyl, alkoxy, hydroxy, oxo, amino, mono- or dialkylamino, alkanoyl-or alkoxycarbonylamino, which ring system may be annelated with asaturated carbocyclic group of 5 or 6 ring atoms,

can be obtained in a good yield by an intramolecular ringclosurereaction of compounds of formula 2 ##STR4## wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃ and Ahave the meanings given hereinbefore, and Z is an aldehyde function oran acetal function, or is a functional group which can be converted intosuch a function during the ring closure reaction.

In the meanings defined hereinbefore of the symbols used, groups having1-4 C-atoms are denoted by alkyl or alkoxy, alkylthio, lower alkyl,alkoxy or alkylthio.

Group Z in the starting compounds of formula 2 for the intramolecularcyclisation reaction according to the invention is a group which iscapable of performing a double electrophilic attack on both thealiphatic nitrogen atom and the carbon atom of the indole ring. On theone hand it relates notably to aldehyde groups and acetal groups and onthe other hand to ester groups. In the former case the so-calledPictet-Spengler cyclisation occurs under the influence of an acidcatalyst, for example, trifluoroacetic acid. In the other case areductor, for example, diisobutyl aluminum hydride (DIBAL) is also usedto generate the required level of oxidation at the C-atom of the groupZ.

The starting compounds of formula 2 can be obtained by reaction of acompound of formula 3 ##STR5## with a compound of formula 4 ##STR6## inwhich formulae R₁, n, R₂, R₃, A and Z have the above-mentioned meanings,and X is a so-called leaving group, preferably halogen or a sulphonategroup.

Compounds of formula 3 are partly known compounds (ref. 5) or can beobtained analogously to the known compounds.

The compounds of formula 4 can be obtained in a manner known for thepreparation of this type of compounds.

The coupling of a compound of formula 3 with a compound of formula 4cannot be carried out as such because the hydroxyamino group in formula3 would react non-selectively with the compound of formula 4, since boththe nitrogen atom and the oxygen atom have nucleophilic properties. Ithas been found that in the reaction of a compound of formula 3 withcompound of formula 4 the coupling takes place exclusively on the oxygenatom when first the nitrogen atom is protected selectively. After thecoupling reaction and removal of the protecting group from the nitrogenatom, the desired compound of formula 2 is obtained.

Examples of good protecting groups for the nitrogen atom are acyl oralkoxycarbonyl, for example, trichloroethoxycarbonyl or2-(trimethylsilyl) ethoxycarbonyl. The protecting group may be removedin a manner known per se, for example, as described in (ref. 6).

When a functional group which should be protected during the synthesisroute described hereinbefore, for example, hydroxyl groups or aminogroups, is present in one or more of the groups R₁, R₂, R₃ or A, theseprotecting group(s) may be removed again in a manner known per se afterthe synthesis, after which the endeavoured compound of formula 1 isobtained.

The compounds of formula 1 are new compounds with the exception of anumber of eudistamin derivatives of formula 5 ##STR7## wherein a) m andn are 0, and R₄ is hydrogen or tert.butoxycarbonyl (Boc), or

b) n is 1, m is 0 or 1, R₁ is 11--Br and R₄ is hydrogen or acetyl, or

c) n is 1, m is 0, R₁ is 10--Br and R₄ is hydrogen or Boc, or

d) n is 2, m is 0, R₁ is 10--OH, 11--Br, and R₄ is hydrogen, or

e) n is 2, m is 0, R₁ is 9--Br, 10--OH, and R₄ is hydrogen, on theunderstanding that the stereochemical configuration both at C₁ andC_(13b) is the S-configuration, and that the optionally oxidesubstituent at S₃ is in the cis position in view of the substituent atC₁.

The process according to the invention is particularly suitable for thestereo-selective total synthesis of both new and known eudistaminderivatives. The processes used so far (ref. 4) are characterised by aninversion of the sequence in which the functional groups in compounds ofthe formulae 3 and 4 are coupled to each other. However, this results incomplete racemisation at carbon atom C-1 in the first reaction step(i.e. an intermolecular Pictet-Spengler reaction), and/or givesextremely low yields in the second step (i.e. formation of athermodynamically unfavourable 7-membered ring). These disadvantages donot occur when the above described new method is used.

A further aspect of the invention is a new method for the preparation ofeudistamins wherein R₄ is hydrogen starting with the correspondingcompound wherein R₄ is Boc. The known method (ref. 4) with a strong acid(trifluoroacetic acid, TFA) is very inefficient and results in extensivedegradation of the desired product. It has surprisingly been found nowthat treatment of the compound containing the Boc-group with anotherelectrophilic reagent (trimethylsilyl halide, see ref. 7) gives thedesired compounds in very good yields.

The invention also relates to the new compounds of formula 1 and thesalts thereof. When one or more chiral centres are present, theinvention relates to the various diastereo isomers and enantiomers, andto (racemic) mixtures thereof.

Compounds having formula 1 have interesting farmacological properties.Similar to some known eudistomins also the new compounds having formula5 have strong antiviral and antitumour activity. It has surprisinglybeen found that compounds nos. 63 and 67 have a very broad spectrum ofantiviral activity in 22 antiviral test models. This is unique incomparison with known antiviral agents, such as for example acyclofur,ribavirin and other nucleoside analogs. Moreover, new compound no. 67has been found to have at least ten times higher potency in comparisonwith known compound 63, which is found in nature.

The compounds of formula 1 and suitable salts thereof may be broughtinto forms suitable for administration, for example, pills, tablets,coated tablets, capsules, powders, injection liquids and the like whileusing techniques and auxiliary substances conventionally used for thispurpose.

The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference tothe following specific examples.

The references referred to hereinbefore are:

ref. 1: J. E. Saxton (editor) in "The chemistry of heterocycliccompounds", vol. 25, part 4 (1983).

ref. 2: J. Am. Chem Soc. 109, 3378, (1987), and Tetrahedron Letters, 29,2255, (1988).

ref. 3: Tetrahedron Letters 29, 4971 (1988), and Austr. J. Chem 42, 1201(1989)

ref. 4: Tetrahedron Letters, 30, 1041, (1989) and J. Am. Chem. Soc. 111,2721 (1989).

ref. 5: J. Org. Chem. 47, 2147 (1982), and J. Chem. Soc. (1965), 7179.

ref. 6: J. Chem. Soc. Chem. Comm. 1979, 514

ref. 7: J. Chem. Soc. Comm. 1979, 495, and J. Org. Chem. 44, 1247(1979).

ref. 8: Intern. J. of Cell Cloning 5, 335 (1987)

ref. 9: J. Infect. Dis. Review 5, 563 (1980), and Antiviral Res. 3, 17(1983).

In the examples I to VII, the abbreviations used have the followingmeanings:

Et: ethyl

TEOC: trimethylsilylethyloxycarbonyl

TrOC: trichloroethyloxycarbonyl

Me: methyl

Boc: tert.butyloxycarbonyl

TLC: thin-layer chromatography

EtOAc: ethyl acetate

DMSO: dimethyl sulphoxide

THF: tetrahydrofuran

DME: dimethoxyethane

Bu: n-butyl

TFA: trifluoroacetic acid

DIBAL: diisobutyl aluminum hydride

MTP: 4-(4-methoxytetrahydropyranyl)

EXAMPLE I ##STR8## 3-S-(chloromethyl)-propionicaldehyde dimethylacetal(6)

Compound no. 1 (2.3 g, 16.9 mmol) and triethylbenzylammonium chloride(0.38 g, 1.7 mmol) are dissolved in 30 ml of bromochloromethane. KOH(1.42 g, 25 mmol) as a fine powder is added, and the mixture is stirredvigorously for 15 minutes. The solution is washed twice with distilledwater and dried with brine and Na₂ SO₄. After evaporation of the solvent3.0 g (96%) of compound no. 6 is obtained (boiling point 75°-78° C. at3.5 mm Hg; n_(D) ²⁵ =1.4970)

The following compounds are prepared in a similar manner:

1) 3-S-(chloromethyl)-methylpropionate (7) from (2): CIMS M/Z 184([M+Z⁺]), 182(M⁺).

2) N-[(tert.butyloxy)carbonyl]--S--[chloromethyl]-D-cysteine methylester(8) from (3): TLC R_(f) 0.52 (EtOAc/n-hexane, 1/1, v/v)

3) N-[(tert.butyloxy)carbonyl]--S--[chloromethyl]-L-cysteine methylester(9) from (4): TLC see compound (8)

4)(2S)-3--S--(chloromethyl)-2--0--[4-(4'-methoxytetrahydropyranyl)]-methyl-propionate(10) from (5): TLC R_(f) =0.41 (3% MeOH in CHCl₃, v/v)

EXAMPLE II ##STR9## Ethyl-α-[N,N-(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyloxycarbonyl,hydroxy)amino]-β-indol-3-yl propanoate (17a)

1.08 g (6 mmol) of 2-trimethylsilyl)ethylchloroformate were addeddropwise, while stirring, to a solution of compound 11 (1.0 g, 4 mmol)in CH₂ Cl₂ /dioxane, 1/1 (25 ml). The reaction was followed by TLC(elution system CHCl₃ /MeOH, 93/7). After stirring for 2 hours, thereaction mixture was evaporated almost entirely. The residue was takenup in dichloromethane and washed with a saturated NaHCO₃ solution andwith brine. The organic layer was dried with Na₂ SO₄ and filtered off.Evaporation of the solvent provided a crystalline material which aftercolumn chromatography (CHCl₃ /n-hexane, 99.5/0.5) provided a yield of1.51 g (96%) of 17a. Recrystallisation from CH₂ Cl₂ /n-hexane:melting-point 101°-102.5° C.,

The following compounds were prepared in an analogous manner:

1) Ethylα-[N,N-(2,2,2-(trichloro)ethyloxycarbonyl, hydroxy)amino]-β-indol-3-yl propanoate (17b) from (11), obtained as an oil.

2) α-[N,N-(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyloxycarbonyl,hydroxy)-amino]-β-indol-3-yl ethane (18) from (12). Recrystallisationfrom EtOAc/n-hexane: melting-point 95°-97° C.

3) 2-[N,N-(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyloxycarbonyl,hydroxy)-amino]-3-(indol-3-yl)propane (19) from (13). Recrystallisationfrom CHCl₃ /n-hexane: melting point 122°-125° C.

4) α-[N,N-(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyloxycarbonyl,hydroxy)amino]-β-indol-1-methyl-3-ylethane (20) from (14) obtained as anoil.

5) α-N,N-(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethoxycarbonyl,hydroxy)-amino]-β-indol-5-methoxy-3-ylethane (21) from (15) meltingpoint 115°-117° C.

6) α-[N,N-(2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyloxycarbonyl,hydroxy)amino]-β-indol-5-bromo-3-ylethane (22) from (16);recrystallisation from EtOAc/n-hexane; melting point 145°-148° C.

EXAMPLE III ##STR10## Ethylα-(1,1-dimethoxy-4-butyloxyamino-β-(indol-3-yl) propanoate (35)

A solution of 17a (1568 mg, 4 mmol), 4-bromo-1,1-dimethoxybutane (1575mg, 8 mmol) and K₂ CO₃ (828 mg, 6 mmol) in DMSO (25 ml) was stirred at45° C. for 24 hours. The reaction mixture was diluted withdichloromethane (100 ml), after which the greater part of the DMSO wasremoved by washing with water and 0.1N HCl. The organic layer was washedwith brine and dried with Na₂ SO₄. Evaporation of the reaction mixtureprovided an oil which after column chromatography (CHCl₃ /n-hexane90/10) provided a yield of 1.37 g (67%) of compound 23. A solution of 23(1.35 9, 2.65 mmol) and tetrabutylammoniumfluoride (5.3 ml 1N solutionin THF) in THF (25 ml) was stirred for 2 hours, after which the reactionmixture was washed successively with a saturated NaHCO₃ solution andwith brine, and dried with MgSO₄. Evaporation of the solvent provided acrude mixture of 35 which after purification by means of columnchromatography (CHCl₃) provided 706 mg (78%) of 35 as an oil.

EXAMPLE IV α-(1,1-dimethoxy-4-butyloxamino)-β-(indol-3-yl) ethane (36)

Sodium hydride (41 mg, 1.7 mmol) was added while stirring to a cooled(-10° C.) solution of 18 (500 mg, 1.56 mmol) in dry DME (10 ml) under anatmosphere of argon. During warming up to room temperature H₂ -formationwas observed. The formed bright solution was added dropwise, whilestirring, to a solution of 4-bromo-1,1-dimethoxybutane (368 mg, 1.87mmol) and NaI (260 mg, 1.87 mmol) in DME (10 ml). After stirring thereaction mixture for 24 hours at room temperature, it was washedsuccessively with a 0.1N HCl solution and with brine, and was dried withMgSO₄. Evaporation of the solvent provided crude 24 which was added to asolution of Bu₄ NF (2 eq.) in THF. After stirring for 2 hours thereaction was completed. The reaction mixture was washed successivelywith a saturated NaHCO₃ solution and with brine, and was dried withMgSO₄. Evaporation of the solvent provided a crude mixture of compound36 which after purification by means of column chromatography (CHCl₃/MeOH, 99/1) provided 306 mg (67%) of 36 as an oil.

The following compounds were prepared in an analogous manner:

1) α-methyl-4-butanoate oxamino)-β-(indol-3-yl)ethane (37) via (25); asan oil.

2) 2-(methyl-4-butanoate oxamino)-3-(indol-3-yl)propane (38) via (26);as an oil.

3) Compound 39 via (27); was obtained as an oil.

4) Compound 40 via (28); was obtained as an oil.

5) (D)-compound 41 via (29), oil; [α]_(D) ²⁰ =+5° (c=0.5; methanol).

6) D-compound 42 via (30); oil

7) D-compound 43 via (31); oil [α]_(D) ²² =+16.7° (c=3.6, methanol)

8) D-compound 44 via (32); oil

9) (L)-compound 45 via (33); oil; [α]_(D) ²⁰ =-5° (c=3; methanol).

10) D-compound 46 via (34); oil, [α]_(D) ²² =+17.5° (c=3.25, methanol).

EXAMPLE V ##STR11## Cyclisation of dimethoxy acetals under acidicconditions Cis-6-ethoxycarbonyl-octahydrooxazino[2,3-a]-β-carboline(47a) and trans-6-ethoxycarbonyloctahydrooxazino-β-carboline (47b)

A solution of 35 (650 mg, 1.79 mmol), TFA (228 mg, 2 mmol) indichloromethane (20 ml) was stirred at room temperature for 4 hours. Thereaction mixture was washed successively with a 0.1N solution of NaHCO₃and with brine, and was dried with Na₂ SO₄. After evaporating thesolvent the crystalline material was purified by means of columnchromatography (n-hexane/EtOAc, 75/25), providing 415 mg (77%) of 47aand 110 mg (20%) of 47b.

Compound 47a: Crystallisation from EtOAc/n-hexane; melting-point156°-158° C.

Compound 47b: Crystalline from EtOAc/n-hexane; melting-point 145°-147°C.

In an analogous manner were prepared:

1) Octahydrooxazino[2.3-a]-β-carboline (48), melting-point 178°-180° C.

2) (±)-Deamino, debromo Eudistomin L (50), melting-point 158°-160° C.

EXAMPLE VI Reductive Ring Closure Compound 48

DIBAL (1N, 3 ml) in toluene was added dropwise, while stirring, to acooled (-70° C.) solution of compound 37 (390 mg, 1.4 mmol) in drytoluene (75 ml) under an atmosphere of argon. After stirring for 2 hoursthe excess of DIBAL was destroyed at -70° C. by carefully addingdropwise TFA (5 eq.) in toluene, after which the reaction mixture waspoured in ice-water (100 ml). The organic layer was separated and theneutralised aqueous layer was washed twice with 100 ml of EtOAc. Thecombined organic layer was washed with a brine solution and dried withMgSO₄. Evaporation of the solvent provided crystalline 48, which waspurified by means of column chromatography (CHCl₃ /MeOH, 99/1). Yield241 mg (76%) of 48, melting-point 178°-180° C.

In an analogous manner were prepared:

1) Cis-6-methyl-octahydrooxazino[2,3-a]-β-carboline (49a), melting-point194°-196° C. and trans-6-methyl-octahydrooxazino[2,3-a]-β-carboline(49b), melting-point 174°-176° C.

2) (±)-Deamino, debromo Eudistommin L (50), melting-point 158°-160° C.

3) (1S,13bS)-debromo-14-tert.butyloxyxcarbonyl Eudistomin L (51),melting-point 214°-216° C., [α]_(D) ²⁵ =-60° and(1S,13bR)-debromo-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L (52), [α]_(D) ²⁵=-3°.

4) (1S,13bS)-debromo-13-methyl-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L(53), [α]_(D) ²² =-152.2° (c=2.05 in methanol)

5) (1S,13bR)-debromo-13-methyl-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L(54), [α]_(D) ²² =+90.2 (c=2.35 in methanol)

6) (1S,13bS)-5-methoxy-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L (55),[α]_(D) ²² =-55.3° (c=4.05 in methanol)

7) (1S,13bR)-5-methoxy-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L (56),[α]_(D) ²² =-23.1° (c=5.10 in methanol)

8) (1S,13bS)-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L, (57), [α]_(D) ²²=-43.8° (c=0.8 in methanol)

9) (1S,13bR)-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L, (58), [α]_(D) ²²=-40.6° (c=0.96 in methanol)

10) (1R,3bR)-debromo-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L (59), meltingpoint 213°-216° C., [α]_(D) ²⁵ =+61°, and(1R,13bS)-debromo-14-tert.butyloxycarbonyl Eudistomin L (60), solidmaterial, not crystallisable; [α]_(D) ²⁵ =+4°.

11) (1S,13bR)-debromo-1-[4-(4'-methoxytetrahydropyranyl)] Eudistomin L,(61), [α]_(D) ²² =+41.8° (c=1.7, methanol)

12) (1S,13bR)-debromo-1-hydroxy Eudistomin L, (62), [α]_(D) ²² =-3.6°(c=2.2, methanol)

EXAMPLE VII ##STR12## Removal of protective Boc-group by means oftrimethylsilyl iodide; (1S,13bS)-debromo Eudistomin L (63)

Compound 51 (327 mg, 0.87 mmol) is dissolved in 100 ml of acetonitrile.Trimethylsilyl chloride (190 mg, 1.74 mmol) and NaI (260 mg, 1.74 mmol)are added, and the mixture is stirred for 3 hours. The residue obtainedafter removal of the solvent under reduced pressure is taken up in CH₂Cl₂ and washed with water and with brine. The organic layer is driedwith MgSO₄ and evaporated. The residue is purified by means of columnchromatography (EtOAc/n-hexane, 1/1), and 225 mg (94%) of compound 63 isobtained; [α]_(D) ²² =-115.3 (c=3.0, methanol).

In a similar manner the following compounds have been prepared:

1) (1S,13bR)-debromo Eudistomin L, (64), [α]_(D) ²² =+23.2 (c=3.8,methanol)

2) (1S,13bS)-debromo-13-methyl Eudistomin L, (65)

3) (1S,13bR)-debromo-13-methyl Eudistomin L, (66)

4) (1S,13bS)-5-methoxy Eudistomin L, (67), [α]_(D) ²² =-76.6 (c=2.7,methanol)

5) (1S,13bR)-5-methoxy Eudistomin L, (68), [α]_(D) ²² =+3.0 (c=2.0,methanol)

6) (1S,13bS) Eudistomin L, (69), [α]_(D) ²² =-64.5 (c=2.9, methanol)

7) (1S,13bR) Eudistomin L, (70)

8) (1R,13bR)-debromo Eudistomin L, (71), [α]_(D) ²² =+111.4° (c=2.1,methanol)

9) (1R,13bS)-debromo Eudistomin L, (72) [α]_(D) ²² =-28.8 (c=1.7,methanol)

EXAMPLE VIII

The antitumour activity of some eudistomin derivatives and the referenceantitumour drug was assessed in an in-vitro test with high predictivepower for in-vivo activity. In this assay the inhibition of P 388leukemia cells colony formation was determined at several concentrationsof the test compounds as described in reference 8. The activity isexpressed as an ID₅₀ value, which indicates the dose causing 50%inhibition with respect to untreated control cells. The following datawere found:

                  TABLE A                                                         ______________________________________                                        Antitumor activity of eudistomin derivatives in P                             388 leukemia cells.                                                           compound           ID.sub.50 (mg/ml)                                          ______________________________________                                        50                 no activity at 1.0                                         63                 0.042                                                      67                 0.0038                                                     adriamycin         0.020                                                      ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE IX

Antiviral activity of some eudistomin derivatives was determined in alarge number of in-vitro assays as described in reference 9. These testsare all based on the inhibition of virus induced cytopathogenicity.Depending upon the virus studied, different cell cultures were used. Asa general rule it is accepted that a compound is considered asantivirally active when the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC-value)is at least ten-fold lower than the minimal cytotoxic concentration(MCC-value). The results for compounds 50, 63 en 67 together withribavirin as a standard are given in the Tables B-E. For both compound63 and especially 67 an exceptionally wide range of activities in the 22antiviral assays is found. New compound 67 has the additional advantageof a 10-fold higher potency as compared with known compound 63.

                  TABLE B                                                         ______________________________________                                        Cytotoxic and Antiviral Activity of eudistomin                                derivatives in MDCK cell cultures.                                                            MIC (μg/ml)                                                                      influenza influenza                                               MCC         virus A   virus B                                       Compound  μg/ml    (Ishikawa)                                                                              (Singapore)                                   ______________________________________                                        63        8           0.8       0.8                                           50        80          >40       >40                                           67        0.8         >0.32     >0.32                                         Ribavirin >200        15        15                                            ______________________________________                                    

                                      TABLE C                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Cytotoxic and Antiviral Activity of eudistomin                                derivatives in Hela cell cultures.                                                          MIC, μg/ml                                                                 Respiratory                                                                          Vesicular                                                              syncytial                                                                            stomatitis                                                                          Coxsackie                                                                           Polio                                        Compound                                                                            MCC (μg/ml)                                                                        virus (Lung)                                                                         virus virus B4                                                                            virus                                        __________________________________________________________________________    63    ≧4                                                                             0.8    0.2   0.55  0.7                                          50    ≧30                                                                            >8     >10   >10   >10                                          67    2       0.15   0.03  0.045 0.045                                        Ribavirin                                                                           ≧400                                                                           3      20    70    110                                          __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE D                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Cytotoxic and Antiviral Activity of eudistomin                                derivatives in Vero cell cultures.                                                       MIC, (μg/ml)                                                          MCC  parainfluenza-3                                                                             Sindbis                                                                           Coxsasckie                                                                          Semliki                                    Compound                                                                            (μg/ml)                                                                         virus   Reovirus-1                                                                          virus                                                                             virus B4                                                                            forest virus                               __________________________________________________________________________    63    ≧4                                                                          >0.6    0.4   0.35                                                                              0.55  0.45                                       50    ≧40                                                                         >10     >10   >10 >25   >25                                        67    ≧1                                                                          0.55    0.045 0.045                                                                             0.07  0.11                                       Ribavirin                                                                           >400 135     125   >235                                                                              >300  >300                                       __________________________________________________________________________

                                      TABLE E                                     __________________________________________________________________________    Cytotoxic and Antiviral Activity of eudistomin derivates in                   primary rabbit kidney (PRK) cell cultures                                                MIC (μg/ml)                                                                                                     Herpes                                                                             Herpes                                                                             Herpes                         Herpes                                                                            Herpes                                                                            Herpes                                                                              Herpes                                                                            Herpes                                                                            Herpes    Vesicular                                                                          simplex                                                                            simplex                                                                            simplex                        simplex                                                                           simplex                                                                           simplex                                                                             simplex                                                                           simplex                                                                           simplex   stoma-                                                                             virus-1                                                                            virus-1                                                                            virus-1                   MCC  virus-1                                                                           virus-1                                                                           virus-1                                                                             virus-2                                                                           virus-2                                                                           virus-2                                                                            Vaccinia                                                                           titis                                                                              (B2006)                                                                            (B2006)                                                                            (B2006)             Compound                                                                            (μg/ml)                                                                         (KOS)                                                                             (F) (McInyre)                                                                           (G) (196)                                                                             (Lyons)                                                                            virus                                                                              virus                                                                              C158/77                                                                            C137/101                                                                           #3                  __________________________________________________________________________    63    ≧25                                                                         1.35                                                                              0.25                                                                              0.2   0.2 0.2 0.38 0.25 0.2  0.7  0.7  0.85                50    ≧120                                                                        >70 >70 >70   >120                                                                              >70 >70  >70  >70  >70  >70  >70                 67    ≧2.5                                                                        0.045                                                                             0.039                                                                             0.013 0.012                                                                             0.014                                                                             0.023                                                                              0.012                                                                              0.015                                                                              0.023                                                                              0.0085                                                                             0.055               Ribavirin                                                                           ≧400                                                                        >200                                                                              >200                                                                              >200  >200                                                                              >200                                                                              >200 30   >400 >200 >200 >200                __________________________________________________________________________

We claim:
 1. A method of preparing an N-oxo-tetrahydro-β-carboline offormula 1: ##STR13## wherein R₁ is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen,trifluoromethyl, lower alkylthio, hydroxy, amino, or mono- or dialkyl-or acylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms, wherein the acyl group is derivedfrom carboxylic acid only;n has the value 0, 1 or 2; R₂ is hydrogen,lower alkyl or acyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, said acyl being derivedfrom carboxylic acid only; R₃ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, alkoxycarbonylhaving 1-4 carbon atoms or phenyl which is unsubstituted or substitutedby a group R₁ ; and A is --(CH₂)_(p) --Y--CH₂ which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by one or more of the substituents: alkyl having 1-4 carbonatoms, alkoxycarbonyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, alkanoyl having 1-4carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1-4 carbon atoms, hydroxy, oxo, amino, mono-or dialkylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms, or alkanoyl- oralkoxycarbonylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms, wherein p is 1-3, --Y--CH₂-- is connected to the --O-- present in the compound of formula 1, and Yis O, S or N; comprising intramolecular ring closing a compound offormula 2 ##STR14## wherein R₁, n, R₂, R₃ and A are as defined above andZ is a group which is capable of performing a double electrophilicattack on both the aliphatic nitrogen atom and the carbon atom of theindole ring, said group being selected from an aldehyde function, anacetal function, an ester function and a group which can be converted tosuch a function during the ring closure reaction.
 2. A method as claimedin claim 1, wherein Z is selected from an aldehyde function, an acetalfunction and a group which can be converted into such a function duringthe ring closure reaction.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2,wherein Z is a dimethylacetal function.
 4. A method as claimed in claim3, wherein the reaction is carried out in the presence of an acidcatalyst.
 5. A method as claimed in claim 3, wherein Z is analkoxycarbonyl group.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein thereaction is carried out in the presence of a reductor.
 7. A method asclaimed in claim 1, wherein the production of the compound of formula(2) comprisesselectively protecting the aliphatic nitrogen atom of acompound of formula (3) ##STR15## wherein R₁, n, R₂ and R₃ are definedas in claim 1; converting the protected compound with a compound offormula ##STR16## wherein Z and A are defined as in claim 1 and X is aleaving group selected from the group consisting of halogen andsulphonate, into a protected compound of formula (2); and disprotectingthe resulting compound of formula (2).
 8. A method as claimed in claim7, wherein X is halogen or sulphonate.
 9. AnN-oxo-tetrahydro-β-carboline of formula 1: ##STR17## wherein R₁ is loweralkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen, trifluoromethyl, lower alkylthio, hydroxy,amino, or mono- or dialkyl- or acylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms,wherein the acyl group is derived from carboxylic acid only;n has thevalue 0, 1 or 2; R₂ is hydrogen, lower alkyl or acyl having 1-4 carbonatoms, the acyl being derived from carboxylic acid only; R₃ is hydrogen,lower alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl having 1-4 carbon atoms or phenyl which isunsubstituted or substituted by a group R₁, and A is --(CH₂)_(p)--Y--CH₂ which is unsubstituted or substituted by one or more of thesubstituents: alkyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, alkoxycarbonyl having 1-4carbon atoms, alkanoyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1-4 carbonatoms, hydroxy, oxo, amino, mono- or dialkylamino having 1-4 carbonatoms, or alkanoyl- or alkoxycarbonylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms,wherein p is 1-3, --Y--CH₂ -- is connected to the --O-- present in thecompound of formula 1, and Y is O, S or N; or a therapeuticallyacceptable salt thereof; with the exception of compounds of formula (5)##STR18## wherein a) m and n are 0, and R₄ is hydrogen ortert.butoxycarbonyl (Boc); b) n is 1, m is 0 or 1, R₁ is 11--Br, and R₄is hydrogen or acetyl; c) n is 1, m is 0, R₁ is 10--Br, and R₄ ishydrogen or Boc; d) n is 2, m is 0, R₁ is 10--OH or 11--Br, and R₄ ishydrogen; or e) n is 2, m is 0, R₁ is 9--Br or 10--OH and R₄ ishydrogen; with the proviso that the stereochemical configuration at eachof C₁ and C_(13b) is the S-configuration, and that the optionally oxidesubstituent at S₃ is in the cis position relative to the substituent atC₁.
 10. A method of preparing a Eudistomin derivative of formula##STR19## wherein R₁ is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen,trifluoromethyl, lower alkylthio, hydroxy, amino or mono- or dialkyl- oracylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms, wherein the acyl group is derivedfrom carboxylic acid only;n has the value 0, 1 or 2; R₄ is hydrogen; andm has the value 0 or 1; comprising treating a compound of formula (5)wherein R₄ is tert.butyloxycarbonyl with a trimethylsilyl halide.
 11. Apharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically effectiveamount of a compound as claimed in claim 9 as an active substance and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 12. A composition as claimed inclaim 11, comprising (1S, 13bS)-5-methoxy Eudistomin L as anantitumorally effective compound and a broad spectrum antivirallyeffective component.
 13. An intermediate compound of formula (2)##STR20## wherein R₁ is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy, halogen,trifluoromethyl, lower alkylthio, hydroxy, amino, or mono- or dialkyl-or acylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms, wherein the acyl group is derivedfrom carboxylic acid only;n has the value 0, 1 or 2; R₂ is hydrogen,lower alkyl or acyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, the acyl being derived fromcarboxylic acid only; R₃ is hydrogen, lower alkyl, alkoxycarbonyl having1-4 carbon atoms or phenyl which is unsubstituted or substituted by agroup R₁ ; A is --(CH₂)_(p) --Y--CH₂ which is unsubstituted orsubstituted by one or more of the substituents: alkyl having 1-4 carbonatoms, alkoxycarbonyl having 1-4 carbon atoms, alkanoyl having 1-4carbon atoms, alkoxy having 1-4 carbon atoms, hydroxy, oxo, amino, mono-or dialkylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms, or alkanoyl- oralkoxycarbonylamino having 1-4 carbon atoms, wherein p is 1-3, --Y--CH₂-- is connected to the --O-- present in the compound of formula (1), andY is O, S or N; and Z is an aldehyde function, an acetal function or agroup which can be converted into such a function.
 14. A method asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the acid catalyst is trifluoroacetic acid.15. A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the reductor is diisobutylaluminum hydride.